Wilkins was a little puzzled when he opened the door to Mr. Goddard. His orders were definite. Lord Manton was not at home when the police called. Mr. Goddard in his uniform, complete to the sword, the whistle and the spurs, was undeniably a policeman. But Wilkins was a good servant, a very good servant. He was accustomed to interpreting his orders as well as obeying them. He knew that Mr. Goddard was a superior kind of policeman. He dined occasionally at Clonmore Castle, and Wilkins waited on him. After a moment’s hesitation, Wilkins offered to go and find out whether Lord Manton was at home or not. Mr. Goddard was shown into a large, desolate drawing-room, and left there. Wilkins was glad afterwards that he had appreciated the difference in standing between a district inspector and a sergeant. It appeared that Lord Manton was quite willing to see this visitor. Mr. Goddard was shown into the library. “Sit down,” said Lord Manton. “I’m very glad to see you. You’ll stay and dine, won’t you? Since poor O’Grady left us I haven’t had a soul to speak to at meals.” “It was about Dr. O’Grady’s disappearance that I called to see you,” said Mr. Goddard. “There’s no use coming to me about that. I’m a magistrate, I know; but I very seldom act. Why not go to Jimmy O’Loughlin? He loves signing papers.” “I’m rather puzzled over the case. The fact is----” “My advice to you is to leave it alone. Don’t do anything. Masterly inactivity is plainly the policy for you.” “That’s all well enough. I’d be very glad to leave it alone. There’s nothing I’d like better. But the fact is, I can’t. I’m more or less pledged to---- My hand has been, so to speak, forced.” “Had a visit from Miss Blow?” “Yes.” “She’s a wonderful woman. She was here yesterday; spent half an hour with me in this very room.” “She’s a very good-looking girl,” said Mr. Goddard. “She is. I admit that. Her eyes, for instance. Grey, I thought them; but they looked quite blue in certain lights; and a very good figure, a remarkable figure. All the same I couldn’t have her settling herself down for good and all in my house. I had to get her out of it somehow. I gave her a note for Sergeant Farrelly.” “Oh! That’s the meaning of your note. It rather puzzled me.” “I’m afraid it must have rather puzzled Sergeant Farrelly too. I felt sorry for him; but what could I do? She evidently meant to stay here till I gave her a note of the sort she wanted. I thought it better to shift the responsibility of dealing with her on to the sergeant. After all, he’s paid for looking into things of the kind. I’m not.” “The sergeant sent her on to me. It was extremely awkward. She cried like anything.” “I thought she’d have cried here,” said Lord Manton; “but she didn’t. Did you comfort her?” “No, I didn’t. At least I suppose I did in the end. I didn’t know what to do. I’m not a married man, and I’m not accustomed----”